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The government is not above the rule of law

 

It takes a lot of doing to make the economy fall from a 9 per cent growth rate two and half years ago to 6.1 per cent in the quarter ending December. A fall of one per cent means the loss of almost 15 lakh jobs and so there is a lot of pain, mostly inflicted by the UPA government. Corruption scandals also refuse to cease. But the real tragedy is that the rule of law, one of India’s strengths, is crumbling.

Times of India | April 08, 2012 | Read more

Don’t be my favourite friend, be my most favoured nation

 

With time we come to realize that the only reliable pleasures in life are the smaller ones. The big sources of happiness--success, fame, marriage and religion—often fail us. Among the smaller enjoyments are things like friendship and humour. What is true for individuals can also apply to nations. Instead of nationalism and military grandeur, a modest delight in trade is more dependable, and this was underscored by a happy piece of news on February 29th.

Times of India | March 11, 2012 | Read more

Think of the spectrum like the village commons

 

In a shock ruling ten days ago, the Supreme Court cancelled 122 mobile phone licences that had been deceitfully awarded in 2008. The ruling sent the telecom industry into chaos, confirmed dreadful corruption in the government’s decision-making process, and damaged the reputation of our nation in the eyes of the world—especially foreign investors. There was much euphoria inside the country, however, for justice had seemingly been served.  

Times of India | January 12, 2012 | Read more

A liberal but strong state is need of the hour

 

Times of India | January 08, 2012 | Read more

When democracy won but the people lost

 

 

Times of India | December 11, 2011 | Read more

Duty or revenge, no one is above the law

 

Times of India | October 09, 2011 | Read more

A primer for the corruption fighter

 

The dust has settled and a degree of calm prevails. Anna Hazare has returned to his village after conquering Delhi. He ought to consolidate his gains now before letting loose another storm. He would do well to sit down with his advisors in this lull and draw up a result oriented, longer term agenda to fight corruption. To this end, I offer Team Anna a primer on what we know about corruption--what works and what doesn’t--a sort of corruption fighter’s manual.

Times of India | September 11, 2011 | Read more

India Says No to $80 Toilet Paper

 

 

An anticorruption campaign has given voice to a growing middle class tired of public indignities

Wall Street Journal | September 05, 2011 | Read more

Middle class gets back its dignity

 

Times of India | July 10, 2011 | Read more

Judging sex, lies, war and yoga politics

 

Human beings are flawed animals with plenty of good and bad in them. They are also addicted to judging each other. During the past month there has been plenty of high moralizing about the world’s most powerful leaders. But in most cases the judgements have often been flawed as I will show in the cases of Dominique Strauss Kahn, Osama bin Laden, Rajat Gupta and Baba Ram Dev

Times of India | June 12, 2011 | Read more